Town of Hartwick Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2008
Meeting called to order at 7p.m.
Attendance: P. Ingalls, F. Thering, V. Rozella, G. Horth, A. Thomas, Z. Hart and N. McManus.
Chair, Greg Horth made note that the Town Board is looking to fill the PB member vacancy and the two alternate member vacancies. If anyone has suggestions of candidates please forward names to the Town Board Members.
Minutes of the Last Meeting
Alex Thomas made a motion to approve the minutes as written with changes. F. Thering seconded. Vote: ayes 5, nays 0, abstain 0. Motion carried.
Correspondence: there being none.
Public Comment: there being none.
Real Property Changes
Cassell - Mary Cassell has submitted an application for simple split of her property on County Route 11. She would like to split seven acres from the 38 acre parcel. A. Thomas made a motion to accept the application for a simple split of parcel Tax Map #129.00-1-39.231 into approximately one parcel of 7 +/- acres and one parcel of 31 +/- acres. F. Thering seconded. Vote: ayes 5, nays 0, abstain 0. Motion carried. Greg Horth, Chair, signed and dated the mylar.
Sign Applications
Bassett Helathcare sign for Greystone Building - Bill Stamp sated they intend to change out the plastic from the ‘Greystone' sign to the Bassett Healthcare sign. He provided new visuals/artists renderings. G. Horth asked if it will be illuminated from the inside. B. Stamp answered he believes the sign has that capability, but it has not been utilized recently, nor do they intend to do so at this time. B. Stamp is asking for a variance to be granted for the size of the sign. He would also like approval for a banner to be stretched across the bottom indicating the opening date. B. Stamp stated that in the long run, they will want to install the new Bassett Healthcare style of sign, but currently it is cost prohibitive to do more than the panel change. A. Thomas made a motion to approve the sign application with variance for size and the temporary banner for 120 days. V. Rozella seconded. Vote: ayes 5, nays 0, abstain 0. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Liz Fury updated the Board on her sign permit data collection project. She stated that some of the signs listed in the book have been difficult to locate. In some case the sign frames are still standing, but the signs are gone. She will be taking photos of the seasonal signs.
Revision Work
Continued discussion of changes to the Sign Ordinance. Members discussed agricultural business signs. It was decided that all business types are to fill out sign applications to be submitted to the Planning Board. Members agreed that farm stands with local produce will be exempt from the sign fee as determined individually by the Planning Board.
It was also discussed and suggested to add a new sunset clause to the new sign ordinance draft for signs that will become non-compliant with the new ordinance. It was determined that the sunset clause should be for five years and not seven. This clause should be added to the definition of non-conforming signs in Section VI of the old sign ordinance.
N. McManus stated that an approved variance runs with the land and not with the business. Members discussed the possibility that the Greystone sign had already received a variance for size in the past.
Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.
